Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1887-11-23
SPIES.
A sketch of the Anarchist Editor and
AgitatOr.

n Sketcu Oh tn0 ANARCHIST E0ltOr ana
AgitStor.
August Spies was born in rfiedwald, in the
province OF Hesse, Germany, in 1855. He was
educated by . private tutor during his earlier
years, after which he studied At = polytechnie
institute, At the age Of l6 he took up the study
OF forestry. A year later be sailed for Amer
lea. In the spring OF 1880 he took charge
Of the business management OF the Aybeitcr
Zeftnng, shortly afterward assuming the posi-
tion OF editor. Spies was we'll connected. His
family and associates aside from those cult-
waited in his revolutionary acts, are among the
best people in New York, says . special from
that city. They are In no sense I'm sympathy
with their kinsmau's ideas or principles; like
him they are Intelligent and educated; they
have happy pleasant homcs--in . few In
promising children and eli their surrounding
Of such character - TO mark them rather q
the element with which their relation was ct
war.
Spies was vain and had an altitudinous orin-
ion Of himself. This vanity was also apparent
in his writing. which he literally interpolatsd
with phrases and quotations froln the Latin,
But with all. he was honest The influence
Of his paper was grsat 1t one time, and Spies
refused q & .s S5ns. tos ses
nAnced no semblance OF dishonesty In the ex-
precision or formation Of opinions that his paper
might contain.
His own income from tho paper never ex-
ceeded SO per week he limited himself to that
amount, and from 1t supported his mother and
younger brothers, as well rs extending frequent
help TO other brothers who were In business.
His sister. Gretchen, was at the time employod
in factory; she IL now dressmaker, and In
her turn has provided for her mother since
In the face OF hts fiery and denunciatory
editorials and manifestces. he wes easily A.
fected At the sight OF suffering or blood Upon
ono occasion, returning from the inspection Of
. mine disaster, ne was affected to tears while
reciting the incidents 10 his associate editor
Upon another occasion, when viewing the
~.~lA. III. To- -.
from the sixth story OF burning building. he
tainted away and refused to look upon the
When travelling through the coal districts Of
Illinois he gave his money and even pawnsd
his watch to relieve some Of the starving min
srs. and tslegraphed to his paper for means to
return.
spies was q natural and combative orator,
bold and decided In hts attitude, qualities that
were quickly recognized by large circle Of
female admirers who haunted tho office and
frequent wherever the object OF their admira-
tion chAnced to be. He loudly and frequently
asserted his decision never to many.
With these favorable traits OF chara ;ter
Spies, a. his years increased nEd his enthusi-
asm reduced itself to settled policy, might
have been All instrument OF reform and benefit
for the workingman. 1t was not 80 long since
when spies looked for tho accomplishments Of
his purpose TO purely scientific and peaceful
arguments and means, and when he wss IN frs-
Quent consultation and constant correspondence
with John Swinton. whose policy wss an en-
tirsiy satisfactory one TO Spies himself.
Upon the occasion OF tbs nihilist excitement
In Russia, Paul Grottkow, then an editor Al
writer on the ArheJter Ze,tnay. urged that the
crimes committed by those fanatics should b
charged as the action Of the police. This Spies
strenuousiy opposed, declaring thae the nihil.
ists alone were guilty, II was justihable, and
they should bs appiaude.l for what they had in
dividually done. without transferring the credit
In any other direction -
the final result Of tbs social economy he was
advocating. he WAS consistently lenisnt toward
minor ofiendsrs who sndeavorsd 70 anticipate
that which belonged TO some one else. But
with striking inconsistency he violently Op-
posed any attempt Of his unwashed eoustitu-
snsy ons ynishs he wss s~sisnsd ne s. 6
Of burglar about hts house. and srasping his
revolver he gave chase 20 the fellow for the dis
% VIZ bOisss. % prOSabiy % 70 tie terror & tSs dee.
ing robbber and to the destruction Of his own
There were unsavcry incidents in the history
phasiSe Angusts good points. A younger
brother, In company with boys Of his own age,
hired wagon ard vent into the country for :
ing they were attracted TO MI orchard BY . rich
display OF ripe fruit and while hlling their
pockets, after having distol.tlcd their stomachs,
they were Interrupted by the farmer, who pro-
tesfed against the robbery. A fasillade Of
stones followed, one Of them unfortunately
striking the farmers tolnple and stretching
paper. dsairous Of doing ~ little outrage TO his
editors feelings NJ l'osslbls, In preparing IN ac-
count of the incident. inclined toward excuses
for tho boys. August Anw the rsVOf bof1ro u
went In the papor. crumpicd II 10 his hand. and
threw II Into the waste-bAskot. saying that he
would treat tho case himssIf. He did 20. and
punisnmsnt, although lis brother was ole cf
them. This brother WAS afterwArl shot and
killed by = policeman. and Augsst than end